The journey into music videos has moved into its sixth week. Has everyone been counting along?

This week continues my compiling of videos and various musical related tid-bits for your viewing pleasure. Some will be brand spanking new, while others will just be things that I like. I am not great with the timeliness yet, but I hope you’ve been enjoying these video collections and actually desire more.

The majority of the videos will fall in the metal realm, as that is where my primary musical interests lie. My tastes definitely extend beyond metal, but as I read on a forum once: “My tastes may have broadened as I have gotten older, but metal will always be my first love.”

In any case, read on and enjoy!

Warbringer – “Combat Shock”

A few months back, Testament showed that they could still thrash with the best of them. It is possible for a thrash band from the 80s to still play great thrash. Warbringer shows that the lessons taught by those 80s bands did not go unheard. Here is an excellent example of a young band playing genuine thrash.

Keep of Kalessin – “Ascendant”

Here is the first video for Norwegian metallers Keep of Kalessin’s latest release, Kolossus. Never heard of them, but the song is a bit interesting. I like some of it, the melody is interesting, although I would hesitate to call it great by any stretch. The video makes these guys look like they want to rip off someone’s head, in between weird facial expressions.

Nevermore – “Born”

Nevermore is a killer band, from Warrel Dane’s great voice to Jeff Loomis’ guitar playing, they are a complete package. I got to see them on Gigantour a few years back, and they are just as good live. If you like metal, you need to check this band out (as well as Dane’s solo album). This video is all right, it did not really grab me, but the song is excellent (from This Godless Endeavor.)

Lordi – “Would You Love a Monsterman?”

Taking cues from Gwar, and other earlier costumed acts, Lordi hails from Europe and wear elaborate monster costumes while performing solid hard rock music. Here is the video for a tune from their album Arockalypse. It is nicely done video, very atmospheric.

Slipknot – “The Blister Exists”

I love this track. Specifically, I love that guitar/drum breakdown, it is such a great sound. “The Blister Exists” also comes from Slipknot’s best album (at least so far), Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses.

Warrant – “Down Boys (live 5/17/08)” (Plus Reunion Dates Info)

Warrant is back together in the incarnation that brought them fame in fortune back in the late 1980’s. Jani Lane and the rest are together for the first time since 1994 and are hitting the road. They will be appearing at Rocklahoma, which features an incredible lineup of 80’s rock/metal acts, before hitting the road for dates with Motley Crue, aswell as Alice Cooper, Cinderella, and Lynch Mob. I could never call them a good band, but there is no denying they had a few catchy songs, and having seen them live back in 1999 (not sure who wasn’t there), they do put on a good show. Below is cell phone video of “Down Boys” from one of the early reunion dates, plus the tour dates:

Laaz Rockit is one of the originators of the Bay Area thrash sound. They were there with bands like Exodus, Testament, Death Angel, Sadus, and Vio-lence. It has been fifteen years since the band has released an album, and the recent reunion shows showed they still had some life left. To prove this, they are preparing to release a new album called Left for Dead. Head over to their MySpace page to check out two songs from the album due out August 25th. The two songs are called “Brain Wash” and “Liar,” and you know what? They sound pretty darn good.

Sevendust – “Prodigal Son”

The latest Sevendust video is here, for the song “Prodigal Son” from Chapter VII: Hope and Sorrow. The latest album is a but of a backstep from Alpha, but is still a strong dose of heavy hard rock, and this song is a good example of what you will find on the album. The video is pretty good and looks to have a strong personal meaning to Lajon Witherspoon. Take a look:

Mushroomhead – “Solitaire/Unraveling”

Mushroomhead is another band, like Slipknot (yes, I know MH came first), that has a large number of members and use masks and paint. This is the video for the first single from their major label debut, XX. It is a pretty cool video for an excellent song. These guys know how to bring a great theatrical presence to the stage, you need to check them out.